Liam Livingstone and Babar Azam's explosive batting at the top of the Karachi Kings' batting line-up shattered all records in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) even as their team in the end only snuck out a victory against Multan Sultans. At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Livingstone, who was playing his debut match in the PSL, and Azam wrecked havoc against the Multan Sultans' bowlers.

Livingstone's 43-ball 82 and Azam's 59-ball 77 enabled the two openers to record a partnership of 157 runs and they brought it up in just 15.4 overs.

While Livingstone's innings was studded with six sixes and as many fours, Azam smacked six fours and a six as the two surpassed the previous opening stand record set by Shane Watson and Sharjeel Khan.

In 2016, Watson and Khan had registered a record 153 for opening stand for Islamabad United. The opening pair of Livingstone and Azam eclipsed the record by just four runs.

Despite a record opening stand, Karachi Kings were restricted for just 183 runs as no other batsman managed to reach double figures after Livingstone and Azam fell to the bowling of Chris Green.

Chasing a gettable 184, Multan Sultans were undone by Mohammad Amir's brilliance with the ball.

With Shoaib Malik hitting a 28-ball 52 and Laurie Evans scoring 49 off 39 deliveries, Sultans looked on course to chase the total.

However, Amir ripped through the middle order and dismissed the big hitters in Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi, and Hammad Azam to finish with figures of 4 for 25.

Amir's bowling helped Karachi Kings win by 7 runs.

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